Manufacture of building-blocks.



No- 839,650. 3 PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906.,

v J. SANDS.

MANUFACTURE-0F BUILDING BLOCKS.

2 sHEEEifiBET 1- Q a w APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1906.

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PATENTED-DEG. 25, 1906.

J. SANDS. MANUFACTURE OF BUILDINGBLOGKS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES JOHN SANDS, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

MANUFACTURE OF BUILDING-BLOCKS- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Application filed May 19,1906. Serial No. 317,705.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN SANDS, a citizen of the United States, residingat Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture ofBuilding-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the manufacture of building-blocks and means forforming and compressing such blocks. It consists in the combination ofmechanism and in details of construction which will be more fullyexplained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1is a side elevation of my machine. Fig. 2 is an end elevation,partiallyin section. Figs. 3 and 4 show two positions of the door. Fig.5 is a plan view, partly in section, of the same. Fig. 6 shows the endplate. Fi 7 is a perspective view of a block. Fig. 8 shows method ofextracting block. Fig. 9 shows a facing-block with locking-rod.

My invention is designed to provide an apparatus for the rapid andperfect formation of building-blocks which maybe made of concrete, clay,or other material suitable for the purpose.

I have here shown a form of apparatus by which this manufacture may becarried out. It consists of a press-frame comprising a base A and a topplate B, which are connected by vertical standards or posts 2 and 3.

Mounted upon the base-plate is a hydraulic cylinder 4, Within which is aplunger 5. This plunger connects with a follower 6, and upon thefollower is placed a form 7, within which is contained the mold-box 8,so that by the operation of the hydraulic press the mold after beingfilled with the material to be compressed is moved upward, and a plunger9,

which is fixed to the top plate B, enters the mold, and the material iscompressed by the plunger when the mold is forced upward.

The front guides 3 are made tubular and are connected by pipes 10 witheach other and with the pump 11, which connects with the hydrauliccylinder, so that by means of a lever 12 or other equivalent mechanism aplunger within the pump-cylinder may be operated so as to force waterinto the hydraulic cylinder and raise its plunger when required.

The watersup ly is furnished from any suitable source. T have here showna tank 13 conveniently mounted with relation to the machine, and one ofthe pipes 3 connects directly with the tank.

14 is a cock or valve by which the Watersupply may be shut off at anytime.

The pipes forming the standards and guides 2 and 3 are screw-threaded atthe top, and by means ofnuts 15 the to plate may be adjusted to anydesired point with relation to the ress mechanism and the mold.

T 1e follower 6 is guided upon these posts 2 and 3, and its upwardmovement may be limited by nuts 16, which can be screwed down upon thethreaded portion of the tubes to any desired point.

The mold-box 8 is here shown of rectangular form and is open at the top,the top being of such size that it will just slide over the stationaryplunger 9when the box is raised. A false bottom 17 may have its upperface eni u graved or formed with any desired surface or ject being tomove this side outward suffi ciently to allow the mold to be easilyintroduced and afterward to close the side against the mold so that itis held solidly and prevented from spreading when the compression takesplace. This movement of the sideis effected by means to behereinafterdescribed.

One end 20 of the box forms a gate, which is opened about a verticalhinge-post 21, and when thus opened it allows easy access for theintroduction or removal of the mold.

For convenience I have shown a table 22, suitably hinged and supportedin line with the bottom of the containing-box of the follower, so thatthe mold may be withdrawn upon this table or introduced into thecontainer-box by sliding it back or forward.

WVhen the door is closed about its hinges, it engages transverse pins23, which are fixed in the ends of bars 24, which bars are fixed to theside of the outer mold-containing box. The door 20 has inclined slotsmade in it, and at the bottom of these slots are transverse slots, sothat the ends of the bars 24.

and the transverse pins'23 will pass through the slots when the door isclosed." Then when the follower-is moved upwardly th'e'bars 24 willslide upwardly within the inclined slots 25. 1

The opposite end of the mold has an end 26, and this end has inclinedslot's 25 similar to those in the door; but as this end does not have-tobeopened I have made the inclined slots on both edges of the end, andasthey are in pairs the inclination of the slots on each side will beone-half as much as the inclination of the slotsin the door, so thatwhen the follower is moved upwardlythe bars '24, which project throughthe slots of the ends, will be acted upon simultaneously by the slots ofthe doors, and thus themovable side of the container 18will be movedup'close against the side of the mold box,

thus clamping it firmly in place and holding it against any spread byreason of the compression.

Theind'ependent upward and downward movementof the ends 20 and 26 islimited'by' stops. the door, and it has a stop 21 upon its upper end:which contacts withthe top plate B, and a bar 27 having a hook turned atthe lower end, serves at a similar stop for the outer edge of the door,and when these contacts are made the further downward movement of thefoll'o'wer or platen 6 will carry the'locking bars 25 and 25 thus movingthe side of the container-box '1 9 outwardly and releasing the Themold-box, so that it can bewith draw'n. position of the transverse pins23 is then coincident with the transverse slots at the bottom-of theslots 25, and the door 20 can then be'swung open to allow the mold-boxto be removed. v

Themold-box may have one or more vertical partitions if it be desired todivide the block so as to makea plurality of independg ent'blocks ineach mold. Such a partition is show'nat28, and the fixed plunger-block 9has a transverse slot or slots 29, which co-v incide with "the plate 28.The object of this is to-insure a clear cutting or subdivision of thebloc'k, since the plate beingfixed in the mol'd and the slot in theplunger when the mold is raised the plate will hold the material out.of'the'way and will enter the slot and insure the required division.

Inorder to economize time in the operation of the device, I have shown alever 30,

fulcrumed'to the frame, as shown at 31, and;

havin'g'at the outer end a treadle 32, upon which an operatormay stand.

Theinn'er and shorter arm of the treadlelever "is connectedby links 33with the follower6, and when the cook 14 has been opened andtheweight ofthe person placed upon thet'readle32 it will move the follower, withthe'iorm andmold-box contained therein,

Thus the hinge-b ar 2 1 is slidable withupward, taking the plunger ofthe hydraulic cylinderwith it, and thus filling the cylinder by acomparatively rapid movement. Then the cock 14 is closed, and by meansof the pipes connecting with the pump-cylinder 11 the compression iseffected by the operation of the lever '12, andasthe pump-cylinder 1] isof comparatively small diameter in order to produce the proper power itwill be seen that the amount of water needed to complete the compressionwill be comparatively small andlbut little timeiwill be lost infinishing the wor r.

parts of the mold 'will be very even, and the% form of the block willb'e'asperfectas possible.

The thickness of the blocks to be made is also-regulated by these stops,w If it is desired to make the blocks hollow, I employthin metal boxes34, having covers 35, which may be-opened and closed. These boxes extendtransversely across themoldbox, just,

filling it from side to side, there being 110 ends to the box, .as thesides of the mold-box form a closure for them., These 'boxesare of the'size of the opening which it is desired to make through theblock'.

with dry sand and the covers35 closed. "The concrete is then tampedinaround the'box up to the level of the top, and the'boxmay then beliftedout, leaving the rectangular :body of sand with which it isfilled-occupying the space which is to-form' the hollow cavity. Theremaining portion of the mold-box is then filled with concrete tampedupon thetop of=the sand, and the moldthen beirigintroducedinto the pressthe compression act about equally u on the sand and. the

concrete without disp acing thesand. "Afti the block has been removedfrom the mold the sand will 'easily shakeou-t, leaving the hollowinterior space.

In order to conveniently handle:' the moldbox, I have shown pins36,projecting from the ends of .the box, and hook-links-37are carried bya cross-bar 38 in suchfposition that they may be let down to connectwith the-pins 36.

The cross-bar 38 is connected by a rod 39" with a fulcrumed lever '40,having a convenient handle by which it maybe operated, so

After the compression has been completed the cock 14 may be opened andthe weight The mold-box'is first filled with cOncrete to a pointsufiiciently deep to form the'thickness of one of the sides of theblock.Then-the hollow box 34 is inserted, and. it may .befilled that when thehooks. 37 have been attached to the pivot-pins 36 the box may be raisedfrom the table 22 and turned over.

The bottom of the box has holes made through it, as shown at 41, andwhen reversed these holes will be exposed at the top. In line abovethese holes are two push-bars 42, connected with a lever 43, which is.suitably fulcrumed, as shown. By means of this lever 43 the push-buttons42 are in serted into the holes 41 and press against the movablefacing-mold 17, which occupies the bottom of the box, thus holding thebottom of the block against the surface of the table 22. Then by meansof the lever 40 the sus pending-links 37 and the mold-box are lifted,thus leaving the block lying intact upon the table and ready forremoval. In this manner I insure the removal of the block withoutbreaking corners or damaging it. For convenience in handling thismechanism I have shown one of the posts 2 continued upwardly andcarrying a swiveled arm 44, upon the upturned end of which the lever 40is fulcrumed, and the lever as is also carried by a collar upon theswiveled portion, so that all these parts may be turned around and outof the way when desired.

It will be understood by the foregoing that blocks of any size andthickness may be manufactured in this manner.

If the facing-blocks are made with ornamental surfaces, I may introducerods 46 into the mold, so that one end will be embedded in the materialof which the block is formed.

The rods may be folded down upon the back of the concrete while thecompression takes place and can afterward be bent upward and have theends bent into hook or other form, so that when the thin facingblocksare set up and a filling of ordinary concrete placed behind the blocksthis concrete filling will surround and embed the tierods, thus holdingthem firmly in place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is V 1. An apparatus for the formation of blocks fromplastic material, said apparatus comprising a moldbox, a verticalpartition therein, a container having a side which is movable to andfrom the mold side, said container having ends and means whereby theends are given an independent movement to cause the movable side of thecontainer to approach or recede from the contained mold, a fixed plungerhaving a slot registering with the mold-partition, and means for movingthe mold-box over the plunger.

2. An apparatus for the manufacture of blocks from plastic material,said apparatus comprising a mold-box having a removable facing-plate, apartition fixed transversely of the box, a container for the mold-box,said container having ends and a movable side,

means whereby said ends are allowed a movement independent of thecontainer and caused to advance or retract the movable side of thecontainer relative to the mold, a fixed plunger having means registeringwith and receiving said partition, and means for moving the mold-boxover the plunger.

3. I11 an apparatus for forming blocks from plastic material, a mold-boxinto which the material is placed, a container into which the mold-boxis fitted, said container having an independent side, meansincludingmovable ends for the container and interengaging inclinedmembers between said ends and the independent side of the container, bywhich said side is moved outwardly to admit the mold-box, and movedinwardly to clamp the box, and a mechanism whereby the material iscompressed within the mold.

4. In an apparatus for forming blocks from plastic material, a mold, acontainer for the mold, said container having a movable side, ends forthe container, said ends having inclined slots made throughthem, barsprojecting from the ends of the movablev side adapted to enter theslots, mechanism by which an independent movement of the container andthe end gates takes place wherebv the bars move in the inclined slots toadvance or retract the movable side.

5. In an apparatus for the formation of blocks from plastic material, amold-box, a container having an independent movable side, a plungerfixed in line with the open side of the mold, a compressing mechanism bywhich the mold is moved with relation to the plunger, end plates for thecontainer having inclined slots, locking-bars projecting from themovable side adapted to enter the slots, and means for moving the endplates inde-' pendently of the container whereby the movable side iscaused to approach or recede from the contained mold.

6. In an apparatus for forming blocks from plastic material, amold-container, a transversely-movable side having bars projecting fromthe ends, container end plates having diagonal slots with which the barsinterlock, said plates having a vertical movement whereby the inclinesact to move the side plate, and stops whereby the movement of the endplates is limited.

7. In an apparatus for the formation of blocks from plastic material, amold having perforations in the bottom and removable facing-blockfitting therein, pivot-pins projecting from the ends of the mold, meansfor raising and suspending the mold to reverse upon said pins,pressure-bars adapted to enter the holes in the bottom of the mold andto press upon the facing-plate, and mechanism by which a pull is exertedupon the mold through its suspending-pins to remove it from the finishedblock.

8. In an apparatus for the manufacture of blocks,- a mold ihaving holesin the bottom, :a

removable facing hloekzfittingoverthe holes;

sWivel-'pins, a yoke and hangers from Whichthe ir'nold: may :besuspended andreversed, bars "adapted: "to 1. enter "the holes a andpress upon the bottom of the faoe-p'late to hold .the finished rblock idown; a lever mechanism by which thermold may be disengaged fro m theblook'and faoe+plate; and:aiswivel meohanismnponwhiclnsaiddevioes:are.oarriedx 9. iiln'zan apparatus for themanufature of blocks ei'rom" plastic materialy' *a mold, and 1pinsaprojecting-rfrom v the container sides =ito enter the slots, and-meansl for moving the oontainersind ependentlyiof tl1e ends to closethereon-tamer side against the-mold 11;'Inianapparatuslfortheimanufacture of buildingb'loekslfrom plasticmaterial,- a mold,

a container having sides "movable: to 1 and from the. mold: sides,aend'switli'inelined slots; pirisproj eeting trom the containen sides to enten the: slots, means forrmoving the container independently 0f the endsto close :the sides againstthe' mold; and stops- -whe'reby' theindependent movements of 2 the ends are limitedau 12. In an apparatusfor the-manufacture of blocks fromiplastie material, a mol'd, acontainer ha'vingsides, one ofvvhioh-"is movable: to 'andl'from the moldsides,- a fixed and i a hinged end gate, :eaolr'gateihavin'g angularslots mad-e therein, pins projecting from the movable containensideadaptedi'to enter said slots- 2a fixedlplunger lmeanslfor moving themold and "container: upwardly so that: the plunger entersr thei mold,guides :upon which the end :plates are slidableinclependently of I themovement of the 'mold whereby the-mova'ble'container side is compressedagainst thev mold; ian-d istops limitingcthe movement of said ends.

. l3. lnian apparatus for themanufaeture of blocks tfrommplastiematerial; a mold, a con tainer having aside movableto and from the moldside; end: gates for the container havinginclined:slotsypinstprojeoting'from'the mov able container sideadap-ted-to enter said slots;

a. plunger fiXGCl ELb'O-VG the mold; -means by Which thelmolds andcontainer are raised t'o insert t'he plunger 'i'nto t'he mol'd and somend gates are slidable'; said gates remaining stationary; While thecontainenand n'nold are I raised until they are lookedtogether; said endgates being subsequently movahln upwardly inunison Withthe movementeftheeontaineri 14. Infan apparatus for the' manufaetureiof bloo'ks'zzfromplastic material, a mold hoq a oontainer b'ox' having one side movableto compress or release theT-mol'd-box, a plunger 1 fixed: above 1 and inline With the IIlOld-bGX,

mechanism :for raising: anddepressing sthe mold With relation to theplunger; ends ff-or the. container bo'x having inclined slo-fis, oneofsaid ends being'hinged rand-1 :adaptedmo the side iseomp-resseda'gainst the mo'ld orre open to :expo'se the mold hox; pinsprojecting from the movable-side 0f the oontainer b'ox' and entering theinclined/slots of the ends, guides :upon' which the two-ends are slida-ble -1 independently of the. container-box whereby leased therefrom byopposite movements- 0f Wheapparatusa In testimony whereof I haveherennto set 5 my hand in presence of two subseribing' it J OHN "SANDS:

Witnesses:

W. H. H. GENTRY,

F. Y. SrEIeEm

